T.I. May Soon Win A Tony & He Can Thank SpongeBob

T.I. has won three Grammy Awards, 11 Billboard Music Awards, and an MTV Video Music Award. Now, the founder of Grand Hustle Records may be on his way to making history at the Tony Awards.

The Atlanta, Georgia MC, actor, reality TV star, and business impresario is nominated for his songwriting role in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical. The nod is in the category of “Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written For The Theater.” Tip worked on the production alongside Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, Yolanda Adams, Cyndi Lauper, The Flaming Lips, Sara Bareilles, They Might Be Giants, Panic! At The Disco, and others.

Specifically, T.I. co-wrote “When The Going Gets Tough” for the production. The artist worked alongside longtime Grand Hustle Records hit producer Lil’C and T.I.’s son, Domani. The King artist did not perform the song on the corresponding 2017 Sony Records release:

If he wins the award with the ensemble, the veteran artist stands to be one of the first professional Rap stars to earn this trophy. The Tony Awards, held at New York’s Radio City Musical Hall, will be broadcast live on CBS on June 10. The event will be hosted by Josh Groban and one of T.I.’s fellow SpongeBob nominees, Sara Bareilles.